The quarterback in the huddle

Entering the third quarter in Sunday’s win against Houston, Chauncey Billups told his team, “In the first five minutes, we have to come out and be very, very aggressive.”
Up four points to start the third, Denver was up 10 to finish the third, thanks to splendid offense (52.4-percent shooting) and spunky defense (Houston shot just 24.8 percent). And Billups himself scored 14 of his game-high 28 in that quarter.
Often during Billups’ short tenure here, Nuggets players and coaches have talked about Billups’ commanding presence. He will often motivate the team in the huddle, making proclamations or calming nerves. During the home win against Minnesota, for instance, the Nuggets were shooting horribly, but Billups sparked the team by saying that they must, somehow, come up with a way to win this game, because you don’t want to look back in April at a November home loss to Minnesota. And, yep, Denver played some good defense and, yep, pulled out the victory.
Asked if he is the wise old veteran on the Nuggets, Billups said: “I probably am. I am sure a lot of guys look at me like that. I’m just happy I’m still able to not only talk about that, but go out and prove it, show guys I can do it. It’s a little different when you’ve got guys who just say it.”
Billups said that he learned at the sneaker of point guard Terrell Brandon, who Billups played with in Minnesota, Billups’ team before his run with the Pistons. And Billups also credited former Nuggets and Pistons teammate Antonio McDyess, who “taught me about game situations. He worked the hardest on the team than anybody. It’s easy to follow his lead.”
Current Denver teammate Kenyon Martin praised Billups work-ethic, which seems to be working well.
“He came in and was receptive to everything that was going on, stayed late to learn the plays, did all the extra stuff,” Martin said. “And it shows the type of person he is and the type of player he is.”

We miss you Chauncey! Best wishes on your journey in Denver, Detroit will never be the same without you brother. I had a chance to meet you a couple years ago and you were super nice to myself and my gf. Thanks for all the memories. NBA CHAMPS 2003-04!

Motown

Motown miss you man! not for your skills but for your personality and your heart. We was rob!!!!!!!!!

alicia

Hi Chauncey, How did you get away? Just a figure of speech. I wish you could’ve retired here in Detroit you will be truly missed for your leadership on the team and just being a down right good person. I met you several times at community outings while in Detroit. You never acted as if you didn’t have time to take pictures or speak to the fans. My bf jokes around with me when I say that you are my man of the NBA, best wishes to you and your family. I will miss you just as much as Tay & Rip . LOL :)

Chris Dempsey arrived at The Denver Post in Dec. 2003 after seven years at the Boulder Daily Camera, where he primarily covered the University of Colorado football and men's basketball teams. A University of Colorado-Boulder alumnus, Dempsey covers the Nuggets and also chips in on college sports.